Hellsing: The Dawn

Hello, good evening!

It's truly unfortunate. With the background and potential of the plot, you could have crafted a compelling prequel. Instead, we end up with something quite different from the original Hellsing manga, particularly in terms of tone. The story now incorporates more comedy, especially through characters who are usually very dark, like the general or Alucard. This shift makes it feel rather odd. While there was comedy in the original manga, it came from lighter-hearted characters. Here, the humor feels out of place.

I must reiterate, it's a shame that it got cancelled.

But at least we have Nazi werewolves, the former Hellsing leader, a young Walter, and a child-like Alucard amidst World War II.

To begin with, it's a brief series that highlights some key characters from the original Hellsing manga. The narrative centers on Walter during his younger years, Integra's father, and the Lieutenant. While it doesn't delve deeply into the main plot, it offers insights into the establishment of the Hellsing Organization.

Overall, I felt the story was incomplete since my experience was limited to reading the manga translation. However, the artwork and character designs are excellent, capturing their appearances before the passage of time. In summary, if you're curious about what transpired fifty years prior to enrich your understanding of the story, then give it a read. Skipping this one won't result in much loss.

Hellsing: The Dawn is a prequel set during World War II, featuring Arthur Hellsing as the head of the organization. This story centers on a youthful Walter C. Dornez, known as the Angel of Death, who embarks on a mission to eliminate Millennium with Alucard by his side. The manga includes vividly illustrated action sequences and humorous panels reminiscent of the original series.

Young Walter is depicted as impulsive and hot-tempered, yet highly skilled in combat. In this narrative, Alucard appears less dominant, which is fitting since the focus lies more on Walter's journey. Unfortunately, the story only spans six chapters and feels incomplete.

From what I've heard, the creator left this project unfinished to work on Drifters. It remains unclear whether this was intended to be a standalone prequel volume or part of a larger series. Fans would undoubtedly appreciate further exploration of young Walter's exploits as the Angel of Death. With just six chapters available, readers are left craving more, unsure if the author will return to finish the tale after concluding Drifters.

If you're a Hellsing enthusiast eager for additional content, particularly involving the Major, this could be worth your time. Otherwise, it might be skippable given its limited scope.